BAKERSFIELD, CA - A new non-profit organization is working on continuing the revitalization of downtown Bakersfield after the project's funding was cut. The Downtown Bakersfield Development Corporation, or DBDC, is looking to take on the redevelopment of the area, starting with lights, parking, signs and safety.
DBDC chair Bob Bell says they'll start with the basics.
"Do a lighting project, revisit parking, maybe do a better job with signing it and then we want to do something for safety," said Bell.
Bell says the work will be focused in an area they've named central downtown, between F and Q streets and Truxtun Avenue and 22nd Street. He says the goal is to make downtown a hub for the community to enjoy.
Bell said, "It's going to be a happening place. It is, to an extent already. It's great, but it can be a lot better and that's the big thing. We really want our city to celebrate our downtown."
The goal comes with a large price tag. Bell says between $50,000 and $100,000 is needed just to start the planning phase. After that, he says the projects will cost millions of dollars.
"The lighting plan could easily be 5 or 10 million dollars. The parking plan, much much less than that, probably a million or two and other types of things, depending on what we're doing if it's safe and secure where we might be dealing with hiring other officers, might just be hundreds of thousands," Bell said.
Bell says the first project will begin as early as July and could take up to two years to complete.
The group plans to hold community meetings and events to raise the money. Its first fundraiser, A Taste of Downtown, will be held June 27th from 6-10 pm at JC's Place at 1901 Chester Ave.
Tickets are available at the Downtown Business Association office. You can contact them at: 661-325-5892 or 1330 Truxtun Ave, Ste. A, Bakersfield, CA 93301
DBDC chair Bob Bell says they'll start with the basics.
"Do a lighting project, revisit parking, maybe do a better job with signing it and then we want to do something for safety," said Bell.
Bell says the work will be focused in an area they've named central downtown, between F and Q streets and Truxtun Avenue and 22nd Street. He says the goal is to make downtown a hub for the community to enjoy.
Bell said, "It's going to be a happening place. It is, to an extent already. It's great, but it can be a lot better and that's the big thing. We really want our city to celebrate our downtown."
The goal comes with a large price tag. Bell says between $50,000 and $100,000 is needed just to start the planning phase. After that, he says the projects will cost millions of dollars.
"The lighting plan could easily be 5 or 10 million dollars. The parking plan, much much less than that, probably a million or two and other types of things, depending on what we're doing if it's safe and secure where we might be dealing with hiring other officers, might just be hundreds of thousands," Bell said.
Bell says the first project will begin as early as July and could take up to two years to complete.
The group plans to hold community meetings and events to raise the money. Its first fundraiser, A Taste of Downtown, will be held June 27th from 6-10 pm at JC's Place at 1901 Chester Ave.
Tickets are available at the Downtown Business Association office. You can contact them at: 661-325-5892 or 1330 Truxtun Ave, Ste. A, Bakersfield, CA 93301